How important is budgeting?
Published: December 7th, 2021
Estimated reading time: 4 minutes.
When I was a child, I had to budget my own allowance. I learned quickly that if I spent it all on candy or toys, then there would be nothing left for books and art supplies. If I only bought one of two things, then the other thing had to wait until next time.
This taught me how important it is to make choices and prioritize what’s most important at any given moment in time: school clothes now or birthday gifts later; new shoes now or summer camp fees later; buying groceries this week or saving up for a vacation next year.
And as an adult? Budgeting has helped me stay out of debt (and keep my sanity!). It’s also encouraged me not to go overboard with impulse buys (which, let’s be honest, can be tough!).
So what is budgeting, exactly? In a nutshell, budgeting is all about figuring out how much money you have coming in each month and then dividing it up between your different expenses. This could include rent or mortgage payments, car payments, groceries, utilities, entertainment, and so on. You then have to be disciplined enough to stick to that budget every month.
Why is budgeting so important? First and foremost, it can help you stay out of debt. If you have a solid plan for your money, you’re less likely to end up owing more money than you can afford.
Why start a budget
When it comes to budgeting, there are a lot of reasons why you should start now. For one, budgeting can help you keep your spending under control. If you’re not careful, you might find yourself spending more money than you intended on things that are not really important to you. This is where budgeting comes in – by creating a budget, you’ll be able to see how much money you have available to spend on what you want and need. You’ll also be able to see where you might be overspending and make adjustments accordingly.
Another great reason to start budgeting is so that you can save money. Have you ever found yourself wishing you had more money saved up? By creating a budget and sticking to it, you can make your money work for you. You can set aside money each month to save for a rainy day or a vacation, or even for retirement.
Budgeting is all about making the right choices for you and your family. It’s not about depriving yourself of the things you want – it’s about choosing to spend your money on the things that are important to you, and being smart about it.
How to set up a budget
To create a budget, you’ll need a starting point. The first step in creating a budget is determining how much money you make after taxes each month. Let’s say your monthly take-home pay is $3,000 per month. From there, you’ll need to figure out how much money you need to cover your essential expenses. These would include things like rent or mortgage, groceries, transportation, and utilities. Once you have a ballpark number for your essential expenses, you can start allocating money for other things – like entertainment, dining out, and shopping.
Step 1: Determine your monthly income. Write out how much money you make each month before taxes.
Step 2: Determine your monthly expenses. Write out how much money you spend each month on things like rent, food, utility bills, etc.
Step 3: Calculate your monthly deficit (if any). If you’re spending more than you’re making every month, then this is your deficit amount.
Step 4: Create a budget to help yourself get back on track if necessary or just start fresh! Be sure to include realistic goals and ideas for future savings so that you know what to aim for each month.
Tips for sticking to your budget
Setting up a budget can be tricky, but it’s worth it. It’s not about depriving yourself of the things you want – it’s about choosing to spend your money on the things that are important to you and being smart about it. There are so many ways to get started with budgeting! You could set up an excel spreadsheet or use an app like Mint.com or YNAB. But there is one thing we all have in common: sticking with our budgets long enough for them to work. This might take some trial and error at first, but eventually, we’ll find out what works best for us and stick with that routine until we reach our goals! Here are some tips on how to keep your budget on track:
1. Make a budget that works for you. Don’t try to follow someone else’s budget – make one that fits your unique lifestyle and needs.
2. Stick to the essentials. If your budget is tight, try to focus on spending your money on the things you need, like rent and groceries, instead of things you want, like dining out and entertainment.
3. Make a plan. If you know you’re going to have a tough month financially, plan and set some money aside for emergencies.
4. Be realistic. Don’t expect yourself to stick to your budget 100% – everyone makes mistakes sometimes. Just do your best to stay within your budget most of the time.
5. Have a savings goal. When it comes to budgeting, it’s important to have a long-term goal in mind. Figure out how much money you want to save each month and work towards that goal.
6. Be flexible. When you make a budget, set some money aside for emergencies and fun in case plans change or things don’t go as expected. Don’t be afraid to move your budget around when necessary.
It’s easier than it seems and much more important
Once you get started and implement some of these tips into your life, sticking to that budget will become second nature! You’ll save money on impulse purchases and overpriced items that don’t add value to your life.
Not only will you be able to keep your spending under control, but you’ll start to see other benefits in different areas of your life.
It’s important to budget and plan for the future. With a little planning and persistence, you can rock that budget!